A visual guide to building materials and specifications, covering masonry, wood, framing, roofing, wiring, heating, lighting, and other topics.

"This book is packed with hard-to-find information on home & home improvement."-Gene Austin, Chicago Tribune "...a copiously illustrated guide describing materi

Building a home is a complicated, precise, and labor-intensive process. From drawing a design to selecting the site to laying the foundation, building the frame

This treasure of indispensable information for anyone in home improvement, building, remodeling, or design has been completely revised and expanded to include m

Explains how to reduce energy use in the home.